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Winter Owling is upon us

Winter is upon us and with it comes owls – searching for food, because their food has been depleted where they live. Of course we also have our local owls, great horned, barred. The others, they arrive in numbers, hungry, emaciated, some in need of help. I am hearing of the arrival of a beautiful big white owl from way up north in the open tundra where they nest on the ground. These snowy owls are already arriving in the wildlife rehabilitation centers due to emaciation. (Starving, thin). Over 40 had already died from either getting hit by cars or starved to death by early December. I am sure now that number is much higher. Mostly immature owls. These owls and other owls as well need to hunt on their own. Of course if you see an owl on the ground unable to fly looking thin or injured, you need to get it to help ASAP (check info at the end of this article).

Owls are incredible birds of prey and some of the foods they eat are voles, mice and rabbits. They are silent hunters. Sitting on a branch on the edge of a field watching, listening. They have incredible eye sight and hearing. Following or harassing an owl is illegal. Apparently some people think it is okay to do so, with what I have witnessed, having spoken first hand with wildlife rehabilitation centers. This stresses these birds out and can cause them to lose that most important meal they need to survive – one that is already hard to catch with all this snow with ice covering the ground.

Now there are situations where an owl is baited with food, such as for banding the bird. And to catch a sick bird. Both situations are done with the bird's safety being # 1. And when it is done it is done correctly. They do what they have to do and move on. In banding I believe the mice are raised for this purpose and they are not harmed. Although they do have casualties. They are used to lure the owl or hawk in and are in a different level in the trap. With these situations the birds are not harassed. They follow a protocol. Catch and release. The stress level on the bird is minimal. The information is important from these programs. But some photographers and birders, let's just say don't have the birds well being as their number one priority.

My main goal is the well being of the wildlife I photograph. Using a long lens, keeping a safe distance, being quiet and giving the bird its space. Patience. Some people just have their priorities mixed up. They get caught up in the excitement of seeing their first owl. It is pretty impressive. There is good and bad in everything we do as humans. We are not perfect. But it is very upsetting watching one of these birds get so badly harassed. I want people to know that these owls need their space. If you see one. Enjoy it, take photos of it at a safe distance and do not chase it if it flies. It is stressed if it flies and needs its own space. It is telling you to “please leave me alone, I need to eat”. Listen to it. It is critical that they find food and that not be interfered with. Some smaller owls are pretty tame looking. They will let you approach them. But don't go to close – use common sense.

Owls are magnificent birds of prey. If you are a birder and you spot one, don't report an owl on a birding sight as it will attract large numbers of people. And the bird will suffer. People that I know, we just go out looking and if you find one it is a bonus. If you don't, the scenery we are blessed with always makes wonderful shots and peaceful times for us. And you never know what you might capture.

We truly are blessed with the beauty around us and the wildlife it holds – so let's respect it all and go out and quietly enjoy that beauty. And don't leave any human trace of your presence. Getting away from the everyday hurry up and go nowhere life a lot of us lead. It is the best therapy you will ever get. Enjoy. If you see an owl in need, contact The Owl Foundation at 905 562-5986 located in Vineland; or the Toronto Wildlife Center 416 631-066.

Or the nearest wildlife rehab near you. If you have found a raptor in distress, please visit the Wildlife International page for listings of rehabilitators in your area. You may also contact your local Humane Society or Ministry of Natural Resource office for information.

Do not feed or give water to any raptor without instruction by an experienced rehabilitator. You can be doing more harm than good. Raptor throat anatomy is very different from yours. You can drown a raptor by putting fluids and food into the wrong area.

One more thing. Not all of us can afford the big SLR cameras and big lenses. But now there are so many great little point n shoot cameras with great zooming features. They will work find, just go out and enjoy. Have fun. That is what it is all about.

By Jennifer Howard

Post date: 2014-02-12 17:17:14
Post date GMT: 2014-02-12 22:17:14
Post modified date: 2014-02-19 11:43:41
Post modified date GMT: 2014-02-19 16:43:41